I read the prison inspection record from February 20, and it gives no clue that the inspection was related to the escape in any way. Besides, escapes came every few weeks from the St. Louis area military prisons, especially in the winter. It was unusual to have five escape at once, as they usually left in ones and twos.

I will let you know if I come across something else on the 17 February escape, and please let me know the same. I am writing about the prisons in my guerrilla warfare series, and this one is in the book on 1864 and 1865, currently under work. That is how I was able to reply to your query so readily.

Bruce